NEWSLETTER WINTER 2024
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE
Our last session in December will be on Saturday 21st December, despite there being no league matches originally scheduled for Friday 20th December our Friday night session will be as normal. We then have a two week break and return to normal on Friday 10th Jan. So please note there are NO sessions due to the school being closed on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th Jan 2025.
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE.
The local league season is now well underway with some fine performances on show from our 14 teams. NA Buzzards have a lead at the top of the first division and are followed in second and third by NA Eagles and NA Batmen. In the second division both NA Ravens and NA Raptors are currently unbeaten. With a game in hand NA Kestrels are just six points off the top of the third division. NA Ospreys and NA Merlins are both going well towards the top of the fourth division.
Several of our teams are also going well in the cup competitions.
NA Ravens who have won every match to date in Division Two
Ollie Malin, Chris Baron, Steve Hugh
FACEBOOK – NEWTON ABBOT TABLE TENNIS CLUB
During the table tennis season there are regular updates on our teams’ efforts in the local league on FACEBOOK. Although I struggle understanding how it all works I can post an article and attach a number of photos taken at matches during the week.
So why not check our page out:
https://www.facebook.com/NewtonAbbotTTC/?locale=en_GB
BRITISH LEAGUE WEEKEND 7TH DEC
A very successful day of table tennis on Saturday 7th December for Newton Abbot TTC ????. We travelled up to Cippenham to compete in Rounds 9 & 10 of the British League - Division C5 and won both our matches. First up we played Horsham Spinners 3 who were unfortunately 1 player short, however we showed them no mercy and comprehensively defeated them 9-0. Next up we played a very competitive side from Isle of Wight 1. We played exceptionally well to defeat them 6-3 to avenge our defeat to them earlier in the season. In doing so Luke Bennett continued his fine run of form and remains undefeated (played 11, won 11, a fantastic achievement in his first season in the British League). As always we demonstrated a fantastic team spirit and we were well supported with Paul Bennett in our corner, thanks Paul. A very enjoyable day, thanks TEAM! - Kevin
NA Senior British League Team – Luke Bennett, Wim Faassen, Kevin Nicholls, Mike Hugh
CLUB SHOP
There has been an excellent response to our new club shop with many orders fulfilled and many more due for delivery. To save on shipping costs at checkout select collect and let me know when the order is ready for collection and I can bring it along to the next club session. Link to Club shop below:
https://vx-3.com/collections/newton-abbot-table-tennis
NA Vultures showing off some of the new club kit and winning matches!
Ray Jewell, Albie Andrews, James Gilbert
CLUB COMPETITIONS
ALBANY FLORISTS CUP
Dan Webster-Hall triumphed in the Albany Florists Cup which has now been opened up to all club regulars and will become an annual handicap club competition. Dan, dominant throughout, defeated David Davies in the final.
DON BLATCHFORD CUP
There was another excellent battle between Fin Humphreys and James Kitchen in the final of the Don Blatchford Cup. James again winning in five to retain the trophy he won last season 12-10, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5.
Don Blatchford Cup Final – James Kitchen v Fin Humphreys
HANDICAP DOUBLES CUP
The first winners of the new handicap doubles cup were the experienced first division pairing of Sonja Ryland and Kevin Nicholls. An excellent well supported competition saw many great matches with the final proving to be the best of all. Nick and James Kitchen, who had fought their way to the final with some excellent victories, worried the experienced Sonja and Kevin winning the fourth set to love to level the final at 2-2 but couldn’t sustain it with the Buzzards’ pair taking the fifth set 11-8
First winners of the Doubles Cup
Kevin Nicholls & Sonja Ryland
SINGLES SHIELD
Unfortunately the programmed date for this competition clashed with a British league weekend which would’ve ruled out several of our top players and any attempt to rearrange it so far has also failed. The 2024 competition will, I’m afraid, be played off in 2025!
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY LEAGUE – EARLY SEASON TOURNAMENT
It was an excellent day for NATTC and for Dan Webster-Hall as he took the two singles titles on the day, while NA pair James Kitchen & Jackie Whitehorn took the Handicap doubles title.
In the Handicap Collins Cup, despite having to give away some substantial starts, Dan was barely troubled on his way to another final. There were some solid performances from NA players, Jim McIvor, Curtis Sage, Nick Kitchen & James Kitchen who all won their groups, James losing out to Dan in the semi-final. Dan went on to defeat Issy Brown in the final 13-11, 11-9, 11-7.
Dan Webster-Hall with league sponsor Sonja Ryland
The Excel shield was up next for Dan who met Clive Banham in the final who had earlier defeated Curtis Sage in the first semi-final. Dan defeated Chris Dunn in his semi-final and went on to lift the Excell Shield beating Clive 21-10, 21-12 in an excellent final.
The handicap doubles was won by a scratch NA pairing of James Kitchen and Jackie Whitehorn who filled in due to a late withdrawal. Jackie and James beat Chris Dunn and Pete Sercombe 11-9, 11-3, 5-11, 11-4 to win the Handicap doubles final.
H’Cap doubles winners – Jackie Whitehorn & James Kitchen
TEIGN AFTER SCHOOL TABLE TENNIS CLUB – EARLIER START FOR OUR FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION
As I am now running an after-school TT club for Teign School students our Friday night club sessions throughout November and December (and possibly into the New Year) may commence from 17:30 if you can make it that early. Plenty of time to practise before the evening league matches and hopefully get matches started early to ensure we can finish on time at 10pm.
CLUB SESSIONS
Friday Night Session 5:30/6:30–10:00pm - Generally 8-10 tables will be available for normal practice sessions (in the middle of the Sports Hall), while league and cup fixtures will also take place during the season on tables at either end of the Sports Hall. During the season this session is a tad hectic so it is not generally recommended for newcomers, although they can be accommodated.
Saturday Morning Session 9:30-11:30am. - This is a popular session for beginners, juniors and social players as well as league players. As ever this is the best session for newcomers as, although a shorter session than the Friday night, it is more relaxed with better opportunities for learning the game.
The Saturday morning session is now free of charge for those keen ones who have paid for their session the night before.
Tuesday Evening matches 7:00-10:00pm – In the match room (Dance Studio) Generally reserved for league matches, rearrangements and cup matches but occasionally available for practice, check availability with Tony.
CLUB KIT / EQUIPMENT
Excellent Christmas present ideas:
I have a number of old match shirts available at give-away prices. I have boxes of 6 ITTF approved 3* Joola Prime balls @ £7/box. I now also have boxes of 3 ITTF approved Sanwei 3* match balls @ £4/box.
The Bribar Sunray bat @ £18 is an excellent starter bat for those new to the game who need a decent bat at a very reasonable price, I usually have these available to purchase at the club.
As a Bribar rep I am able to get a small discount and save postage on anything from the Bribar Table Tennis Catalogue – Check them out online at: bribartt.co.uk
I can also make bats up for you or replace worn out rubbers.
For those of you who are past the beginners stage there are other excellent bats in Bribar’s Custom range which come highly recommended or if you’re feeling confident select from their extensive range of rubbers and blades and get a bat made up. As mentioned there is a small saving to be made if you order through me.
AND DON’T FORGET TO VISIT OUR CLUB SHOP FOR A WIDE RANGE OF NEWTON ABBOT TTC KIT
NA BUZZARDS
The Buzzards have been incredibly busy but not always at the same time and with each other. Kev and Sonja have been travelling the country playing in several tournaments while also taking in the sights they watched Whitney Queen of the Night, Sheeran and Coldplay by Candlelight, Steve Knightly at the Phoenix, an 80’s night in Brixham (nearly all of them while I was away!) and we all managed to join up for a trip to the illuminated Babbacombe model village and to see Fairytale of New York in Torquay. I’ve climbed Ben Nevis and cruised to the Canary Islands. Sonja has been to Portugal as well as touring the Peak District and the west country with family and London with her German school friend. Kev as well as playing in tournaments all over the country most weekends has also made it back to Greece again. The younger elements of the NA Buzzards have also been playing TT in the local leagues and currently lead the South Devon first division.
Our visit to Babbacombe Model Village
THANKS
Many, many thanks to those of you who helped out when I went missing over a few weekends, your help was invaluable and enabled the sessions to run as normal.
FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
The end of season closed tournament will be held at the Torbay Leisure Centre, Clennon Valley, Goodrington, PAIGNTON on Easter Sunday 20th April 2025.
Finals and presentation night will be held in Jubilee Hall, Stover School, Newton Abbot on Tuesday 22nd April 2025.
Entry Forms available on the League website or from Tony
I AM AWARE THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN A FEW OF YOU WHO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER OVER RECENT MONTHS. IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO BE ON THE CIRCULATION LIST THEN PLEASE RESPOND SAYING SO. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE AN EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
